Sustainable Library Planned in Kazakhstan

BIG Architects

is undertaking an ambitious project of a library in Kazakhstan. Like all the libraries this one will have books as usual but it will also boast of going easy on the environment. This new library will serve as a multifunctional cultural center for Astana, Kazakhstan. This library will be named as Nursultan Nazarbayev who was the first President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Architectural design of this library will be comprised of four parts – a circle, a rotunda, the arch and the yurt. These four archetypes will merge into the form of a möbius strip. The library structure will be as such to counterbalance or maximize the heat of sun according to the climate and the need. In designing the structure BIG Architects are also paying attention to high-tech modeling to calculate the thermal exposure of the building envelope and maximize shading. They are using computer simulation to find out new methods to lower energy requirements of the building.

The architects are taking care of the amount of sunlight required by certain areas in the library they will design those areas in such a way that they get maximum exposure of light. The designers minimized the cooling load on the design using some advanced computer modeling to calculate thermal exposure on the building envelope. Taken as a whole design of the library makes some parts receive more light than others. Therefore the designers are creating novel geometric pattern of the entire structure to standardize the amount of solar glare.

The building is designed in a very interesting, unique manner; it spirals upwards as you climb up and visit different floors of the library. An intricate mix of different ideas and concepts, the building is constructed in the form of a möbius strip: this kind of design allows the various parts of the building to be turned into exteriors and interiors according to the current requirement. The natural light of the sun is filtered through beautifully arranged geometric openings to bring in sufficient light for reading.

The architects are also taking into account the external environment of the library. They are planning to develop a park which will have local flora and fauna. They are also showcasing the geology of the country which has many types of rocks and minerals from different parts of the country. The library will be open to all the sections of the society. The library could be used for meetings, cultural events, and historical record keeping too.

James Spinweb

Please note that BIG Architects plagiarized the design. The design was registered in the United States by Anwar Al-Mallah in 2003. BIG Architects submitted and won a prize for copyrighted work they shamelessly stole and presented as their own. Type “Mobius Building Anwar” in Google and see page 5 of the article at “ftp://ftp.formz.com/pub/formz/PDF_files/eCAADe_paper.pdf.” then you’ll see who the real Mobius Building designer is, or visit the U.S Copyright office and search for Mobius Building.